Clinical risk management is an ongoing part of everyday clinical practice. Providers are responsible for identifying, assessing, responding to, and documenting clinical risk throughout the course of care.
Providers are expected to manage client care in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, professional and ethical standards, scope of practice requirements, and Talkspace policies and procedures.
Provider Responsibilities
1. Identify, Assess, and Monitor Clinical Risk
Risk assessment begins at intake and continues throughout treatment.
Providers are expected to:
- Identify relevant risk factors and safety concerns.
- Assess the level and nature of risk using appropriate clinical judgment and available screening or assessment tools.
- Continue monitoring risk as a client's circumstances, presentation, or level of care needs change.
- Reassess risk when clinically indicated, including when new safety concerns emerge.
Risk should be considered as part of routine clinical care—not only when a crisis occurs.
2. Respond to Risk & Safety Concerns
Providers are responsible for responding to clinical risk in a timely and clinically appropriate manner.
Responses should be proportionate to the level and immediacy of risk and may include:
- Additional assessment or monitoring
- Development or review of a safety plan
- Consultation with appropriate clinical resources
- Coordination with the client's support system, when clinically appropriate and permitted
- Referral to a higher level of care
- Emergency intervention when immediate safety concerns are present
If a client is experiencing an immediate safety concern or emergency, providers should initiate an appropriate response without delay.
3. Protect Client Information
Providers are responsible for protecting sensitive client information, including protected health information (PHI) and personally identifiable information (PII).
Providers should:
- Follow applicable privacy and security requirements.
- Use Talkspace-approved systems and workflows when handling client information.
- Share client information only when permitted and appropriate.
- Follow applicable laws, ethical standards, and Talkspace policies when disclosing information in connection with safety concerns or mandated reporting.
4. Maintain Compliance
Providers are expected to maintain awareness of and comply with:
- Applicable licensure and credentialing requirements
- Scope of practice requirements
- Professional and ethical standards
- Applicable federal and state laws and regulations
- Talkspace policies and procedures
Providers are responsible for practicing within their professional scope and using appropriate clinical judgment when managing risk.
Clinical Risk Management Is Ongoing
Clinical risk management is not a one-time assessment. It is an ongoing process that includes:
Identify → Assess → Respond → Document → Monitor → Reassess
Using this approach can help providers recognize changing risk, respond appropriately, and support client safety throughout treatment.
Need Support?
For non-urgent clinical risk questions, contact the Clinical Risk Management Team at RiskManagement@talkspace.com.
Important: The Clinical Risk Management inbox is not monitored for urgent matters. If a client is experiencing an immediate safety concern or emergency, initiate an appropriate response without delay.